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REPORT 



OF THE 



PENNSYLVANIA BOARD 



OF THE 



Pennsylvania and ISTew York 



JOINT BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 



Submitted to Hon. William McCandless, Secretauy of Intkrnal Affairs 

December 1, 1877, Pursitant to Section 3, of An Act of the 

General Assembly, Approved May 8, 1870. 



H A R R 1 S B U R <\ : 

I. A N E S . H A 11 T . tS T A T E P R I N T K H . 

1878. 



REPORT 



OP THE 



PENNSYLVANIA BOARD 



OF THE 



Pennsylvania and New York 



JOINT BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 



Submitted to Hon. William McCandless, Secretary of Internal Affairs 

December 1, 1877, Pursuant to Section 3, of An Act of the 

General Assembly, Approved May 8, 1876. 



HARRISBITRG: 

LANE s. Hart, state printer. 

1878. 



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REPORT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA BOARD 



OF THE 



x\ 

Submitted to Hon. William McCandless^ Secretary of hiternal Affairs, 
December i, 1877, by James Won-all, chairman : 



Office Pennsylvania and New York Boundary Commission, 

Adjutant General's Office, 

Harrisburg, December 1, 1877. 

Sir: I hare the honor to report that, as promised in my statement made 
to you, January 22, 18*71, and immediately thereafter submitted by you to 
the General Assembly, this commission arranged with the similar com- 
mission, duly authorized by the State of New York, to hold a meeting, in 
the city of New York, for the dispatch of the business before them. 

A meeting was accordingly held on the 29th of May, 1877, at the rooms 
of the Geographical Society, in Twenty-ninth street, when both boards 
were fully represented. The Ncav York Board was composed of members 
of the Board of Regents of the ITniversit}-, ex officio, headed by Honor- 
able John Y. L. Pruyn, chancellor. The other members were Honorable 
Henry R. Pierson and Honorable Chauncey M. Depew. 

The joint board was organized, on motion of Mr. Pierson, by the ap- 
pointment of Colonel James Worrall, of Pennsylvania, as chairman, and 
S. B. Woolworth, LL. D., secretary of the Board of Regents, as secretary. 
At this meeting, it was agreed that a party of surveyors should be placed 
in the field, which was to trace out and define, upon the ground, the old 
line; and that a detail be emplo3-ed, from the United States Coast Survey, 
which should, at four (4) ditferent points on the line, ascertain the forty- 
second parallel of north latitude, on the eartli's service. 

At Hancock, New York, near the north-east corner of Pennsylvania, on 
June 19, both commissioners met: Pennsylvania being represented by Col- 
onel James Worrall and Colonel C. M. Gere ; New York, b^^ Doctor 



AVoohvortli, secretary, niul D. L. Pratt, p]squire, assistant secretary of the 
Regents, representing members of the New York Board; also, J, T. 
Gardner, Esquire, in charge of the New York To[)Ograpliical Survey. At 
this meeting. Captain 11. W. Chirke, civil engineer, and survcj^or of Syra- 
cuse, New York, and Colonel C. M. Gere, of Pennsylvania, were appointed 
in charge of the survey on the part of their several States, and work was 
immediately tliereafter commenced in the field, Pennsyh'ania agreeing to 
meet half the expense, as long as the appropriation held out, for the New 
York appropriation was fifty per centum larger than that of Pennsylvania. 
On this day, also, an arrangement was made with the United States Coast 
Survey, represented on the ground by Mr. Frank Blake, junior, both 
States to meet the expense equall}'. 

On July 10, at Hale's Eddy, Delaware county, New York, very near 
the eastern end of the boundary line, Pennsylvania represented by Colonel 
Worrall and Colonel Gere; New York, by Doctor Woolworth and Captain 
Clarke,. met Mr. Edwin Smith, United States Coast Survey assistant, who 
was accompanied by Mr. James B. Baylor, also of the Coast Survey, and 
at the east end of the line produced to a safe point, as to floods, on the 
left bank of the Delaware, on the Travis farm, a short distance below Hale's 
Eddy. ^Astronomical observations were commenced, and were continued 
for ten days and nights. A pedestal, permanently set, remains upon the 
ground, and its position, as to latitude and longitude, is recorded, to a 
small fraction of a second, which record, at the close of our operations, 
will be filed in your Department. At this point, most careful search was 
made for the initial monuments of the old surveyors, without success, and 
the only means left to ascertain the approximate locality, Avas to explore 
westwardly, find the first piece of the old line remaining unchanged, and 
produce that eastwardl}^, to the point where it intersected the thread of the 
main channel of the Delaware. The monument we have erected, however, 
will prove a sui'e guide to the line, so long as it, (and its record,) remains, 
to which end numerous reference stones liave been set, in recorded direc- 
tions around it. 

These duties having been performed at the initial point, the Coast Sur- 
vey detail, accompained by Colonel Worrall, then proceeded to the west 
end of the line, about two hundred and twenty -four miles, and at about 
one mile east of the point where the boundary turns north, in Mr. Daniel 
L. Clark's j^ard, a short distance west, but in front of his house, and south 
of the center of the boundarj^ road, the station lying between Wattsburg, 
Penns3-lvania, and Cleaner, New York, a second pedestal was erected, of 
which the latitude was established with equal precision; the distance from 
a line of telegraph rendering it costly and inconvenient to establish the 
longitude at i)resent, 

Tiie detail then ])roceeded to a point about one mile south of Wellsburg, 
Chemung county, New York, and about seventy miles from the initial cor- 
ner, and here, on Mr. D. A. Burt's property, in Bradford county, Pennsyl- 



vania, a similar observation of latitude and longitude, and to the same de- 
gree of exactitude, was made. 

The detail then repaired to Great Bend, Susquehanna county, Pennsyl- 
vania, about twenty miles west of the initial point, where, on the north- 
west corner of the yard of Mr. James M. Finn's residence, in Broome 
county, N. Y., another monument was i)laced, after another stud}' of the 
heavens for several nights. Here the forty-second parallel was found to be 
north of the old line, and this circumstance occurs at this one of the four 
points, all the others showing that the parallel is south of it, the distance 
being less, in any case, than four hundred feet, except at Wellsburg, Avhere 
it is eight hundred feet. The following is an approximate statement, lia- 
ble to be changed on revision, and intended only to convey a rough idea 
of the variations : 

1. At Travis Station, (Hale's Eddy,) the old line is 2T5 feet north of the 
parallel. (This may be reduced, on revision, by a correction due to mag- 
netic declination.) 

2. At J'inn's Station, about twenty miles from E. End, (Great Bend,) the 
line is 350 feet south of the parallel. 

3. At Burt's Station, about 70 miles from E. End, (Wellsburg,) the line 
is 760 feet north of the parallel; and 

4. At Clark's Station, about 253 miles from E. End, (Wattsburg,) the 
line is 150 feet north of the parallel. 

In the meantime, the party of surveyors, under the orders of Capt. II. 
"W. Clarke, of Syracuse, N. Y., representing New York, and Col. C. JM. 
Gere, of Montrose, Susquehanna county, Penns\dvania, representing Penn- 
sylvania, proceeded to trace the line from its initial point, near Hale's 
Eddy, Delaware county, N. Y., westward, wh//e instructions were to re- 
store the line as laid down by the first commissioners, as nearly as they 
could, and to make a map of the work, exhibiting the position of the monu- 
ments, distinguishing those whose place was found to be doubtful from 
those which are certain, and, combined with this, the lines of occupancy of 
land between the monumental stones. The relative position of the mile- 
stones nearest to the astronomical stations of tlie coast survey, and the 
topograi)hical features of the country along the line, will be also noted in 
the map, and a clear text report is to accompany it. 

The surveyors proceeded with their work, until the 20tli of October, 
both States agreeing, as stated, to meet the expense eciually. The amount, 
at the disposal of this commission, only heUl out until the 20tli of August, 
when the New York commission, having more funds at their disj^osal than 
this commission, agreed to meet the whole expense for the remainder of 
the season, with the express understanding, however, that the Pennsyl- 
vania commission would properly represent tlie fact to the Legislature of 
Pennsylvania. Tlie coast survey observations cost something more tliau 
was at first estimated, and this we agreed to halve with the New York coa'- 
mission in like manner. 



The liabilit}^ thus incurred will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 
$1,000, more or less, there being a considerable amount of office work 
remaining to he done, and upon am^ appropriation made 1)}^ our Legislature 
for the completion of the work, this liability will be a prior claim. Of the 
$2,000 placed at the disposal of this commission, some $1,400 was actually 
expended in the field — ^the remainder being for the exi)ense and time of the 
commissioners. One of your commissioners remained with the survey in the 
field for a continuous period of two months, having expended another month 
in prior and subseqivent official visits to the line Another remained with 
the coast survey detailed until about half its work was done, and until he 
satisfied himself with regard to> the care and exactitude with which the 
work was prosecuted by that scientific corps.^ The survey covers 119 
miles, of which you will have a technical report, in full detail, as has been 
indicated above. You will also have an exact report from the superin- 
tendent of the coast survey of the astronomical observations at the two 
extremes, and at two intermediate points upon the line, indicating the close 
accuracy which has been attained in geodesic survej'ing within a recent 
date. 

In our final report, a history of this interesting line will be detailed to 
you as far as it can be ascertained, and it must be confessed, that the opera- 
tions of the early commissioners, judging from the portion of their work 
remaining behind, and now discoverable,, do their memory great credit. 
The variation from the true geographic parallel is small,, when the differ- 
ence in precision, between the instruments- of that day and this, is taken 
into consideration. 

The great ordnance surve}^ of Great Britain was only beginning to be 
thought of when this line Was first laid down, and geodesy was in its in- 
fancy. An examination of this line gives proof that the distinction ac- 
corded to the learned gentlemen engaged in the work, at that daj', was 
justly due to them; and that such men as Samuel Holland, James and 
George Clinton^ Simeon De Witt,, Abraham Hardenburg, William Morris, 
and others, of New York, and David Rittenhouse, Andrew Porter, An- 
drew Ellicotty Joseph Montgomery, William McClay, and others, of Penn- 
sylvania, were not selected and consulted upon this dutj-, without reason 
good. But we have ascertained, on account of ou.r having more perfect 
instruments to assist our observations,, that the line laid down nearly one 
hundred years- ago,, is not exactly on the parallel of latitude, which, it must 
always be borne in mind, is the northern bomidary of Pennsylvania, or, at 
least, was when the charter of Charles II was granted to William Penn. 

Four series of exact observations have been made on the heavens, and, 
by three of these, it is found tiiat the geographical parallel is south of 
the line laid down by our distinguished predecessors^ and by one of them, 
that the parallel is north of that line,, as has before been indicated, the dif- 
ference being approximately as above stated^ while an exact statement of 



them, making no very material change, will be found in our detailed re- 
port. 

It is plain that further astronomical observations must be made, before 
the exact difference between the geographical parallel and the whole line 
can be satisfactorily astertained ; and we, after the best consideration we 
can give to the subject, conceive that there should be at least six (6) more 
such stations established, before a correct idea of the state of the boundary 
can be formed. 

We have left before us, for next season's work, then, to survey and de- 
fine one hundred and five more miles of east and west boundary line, about 
twenty miles of north and south boundary line, and six or seven more se- 
ries of astronomical observations. For it may be proper to ascertain the 
correctness of the meridional boundarj^ which separates a poi'tion of Erie 
county, Pennsylvania, and Chatauqua county. New York — a line of which 
we have been given to understand, by very high authorit}^, there is scarcely 
a mark remaining. Considering that we are in debt to New York in a sum 
of $1,000, more or less, which may be somewhat increased bj^ office work, 
now in course of progress — to pay that debt, and to restore the line upon 
the surface where the permanent monuments shall be afterwards located — 
we shall require the sum of $5,000. For, unless we mark the line broadly, 
distinctly, and permanently, our work already done may be considered as 
good as thrown away. 

During our study of this Important subject, our attention has been, ne- 
cessarily, drawn to the admirable methods of the Coast Survey, in this and 
relative regards. Their work proves itself, and, wherever it has been done, 
its benefits have been felt and appreciated. We cannot help thinking that 
the area of its operations should be extended, so as to embrace the interior, 
as well as the sea-board, of the States, Its lines of precision, permanently 
marked upon the surface of the land, would be of infinite advantage. The 
multitudinous causes of land disputes would soon arrange themselves, by 
reference to the exact demarcations left by this admirable corps of sur- 
veyors. The thousand and one errors of the magnetic needle, (in Penn- 
sylvania, especially, on account of the mineral character of so much of her 
soil,) more numerous than elsewhere, would cease to cause the bitternesses 
and jealousies of ejectment suits, and, in a short time, the surface of the 
State would be as well known to all, as the most careful plot of a farm or 
village is now known to its proprietors or citizens. We trust it will not 
be long until the proper authorities will call for a correct topographical 
survey and map of the State by the Coast Survey Bureau, and when it is 
known that this best method of obtaining this end is also much the cheap- 
est of all in cost, our trust is strengthened. It is difficult to enumerate 
the substantial benefits which would arise to the people, from such a 
course. Other States are directing attention to this subject, and wonder- 
ing, as they advance, why it was they had put the matter ofl' so long. Let 
Pennsylvania not be behindhand in this good work. 



It is deemed proper, here, to notice tlie fact that this joint commission 
has met with a great loss in the death of the Honorable John V. L. Pruyn, 
Chancellor of the New York University, which took place on November 
21, at Clifton Springs, New York, whither, we believe, he had repaired on 
account of his health. Not only this commission, but the State of New 
York — the whole country, indeed — must feel the loss deeply. Nor could 
we suffer such an event to pass, so seriously affecting the joint commission, 
without making allusion to it in our journals and reports. It will be diffi- 
cult, even in tlie great State of New York, to replace this distinguished 
gentleman, and we, as a commission, proud of our association with him, 
regret the loss we have sustained. His clearness of judgment and absolute 
probity of character, would have been of great help to us in our councils. 
But it has pleased his Creator to take him from among us, and we have 
but to bow to the visitation in awed submission. 

A joint report of the commission will accompany the detailed maps, &c. 
This could not have been prepared by this time, but will be forthcoming 
as soon as practicable. 

A detailed statement of the expenses, accompanied by vouchers, will, 
also, be shortly published. 
I remain, sir. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JAMES WORKALL, 
Chairman, for the Pennsylvania and New York Boundary Commission, 
consisting of C. M. Gere, Robert N. Torrey, James Worrall, Commis- 
sioners for Pennsylvania. 
Hon. William McCandless, 

Secretary of Internal Affairs, Harrishurg. 



LIBRfiRY OF CONGRESS 



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